Mercedes magic and Ferrari's rapid starts: what we learned from F1 testing

"The big four Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren have been at pains throughout testing to claim they are not the top dog, in something of an inverse Mexican standoff, each decrying their own strengths. Undeniably, however, Mercedes emerge from the three pre-season tests looking strong. Mercedes' car and engine were reliable, completing the most laps of any team. Perhaps most importantly the car looks balanced and easy to handle,"

"Ferrari have the capacity to make blisteringly fast starts. A smaller turbocharger spins up to speed at starts. Such were the concerns over slow-starting cars, the FIA trialled a new launch procedure during testing. A five-second hold allows the cars at the back of the grid to bring their revs and turbo up to speed. When trialled, the Ferrari was revelatory, even more than their eye-catching rotating rear wing."

Mercedes emerged from three pre-season tests with a reliable car and engine, completing the most laps of any team. The car appears balanced, easy to handle and planted through corners, matching simulation predictions and prompting driver satisfaction. If Mercedes have been sandbagging and have yet to run low fuel and soft tyres, their race pace could be formidable. Red Bull have demonstrated efficient energy-recovery architecture that allows deployment of more electrical power for longer, aiding straight-line speed. Ferrari have a propensity for exceptionally fast starts due to a smaller turbocharger and predictable launch behaviour under a newly trialled five-second hold, producing dramatic gains off the line.

Read at www.theguardian.com